Array beamformer using unequal power couplers for plural beams

摘要

A multibeam phased array radar includes identical N:1 equal-split combiners and overlay hybrid couplers which form multiple tapered and weighted beams. The radar is configured with a single transmit/receive (T/R) module for each antenna element. The T/R modules contain a high power amplifier for transmit, low noise amplifier for receive, phase shifter for beam steering and attenuator for overall weighting. Each T/R module is connected to an unequal-split coupler which divides the received signal into signals of different amplitudes. Each of these signals are fed into a separate N:1 equal-split combiner, thereby forming separate beams. The illumination taper of each beam is determined by the coupling values of the couplers and the setting of the T/R module attenuator. There is disclosed a first embodiment including two beamformers and a second embodiment extending the concept to more than two beamformers.